KT announced on the 18th that it will be the first domestic telecom company to introduce eco-friendly bobbins. Bobbins are cylindrical structures used for winding cables, typically made of wood, and are utilized for cable storage and transportation.
The bobbins introduced by KT are made from recycled plastic (low-density polyethylene) certified by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, allowing for reuse more than 10 times. Although their higher price and challenging collection have hindered their spread compared to traditional bobbins, KT has collaborated with LS Cable & System, Taihan Fiberoptics, Gaon Cable, Mercury, and ESTech International to lower costs through a rental supply method and solve collection difficulties with an Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring service.
KT will begin using eco-friendly bobbins for fiber optic cables delivered from April and plans to replace approximately 2,500 wooden bobbins annually with eco-friendly products. Additionally, it aims to gradually expand the use of eco-friendly bobbins across all fiber optic cables.
The introduction of these eco-friendly bobbins will reduce the amount of wood used, preventing forest degradation, and is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 12,500 kg. This is equivalent to a reduction in electricity consumption of 27,200 kWh, and it will also help decrease packaging waste and bobbin disposal expenses.
KT plans to strengthen eco-friendly purchasing by using materials recycled from waste plastic and to promote co-prosperity with fiber optic cable manufacturers by practicing resource circulation.
Lee Won-jun, head of procurement at KT, noted, "Recycling waste plastic to transition to a circular economy is an effective way to reduce the consumption of natural resources and minimize waste," adding, "KT will continue to strengthen ESG management to enhance corporate competitiveness."